Part 1 · Band 5

Do you work or are you a student?

Source-reported band score · 28 words

Sample answer

Well, I'm studying at school currently in 9th grade. I have subjects like English and events. Also, I help my father in a market in my free time.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer follows a clear sequence: you identify yourself as a student, mention subjects, then add what you do in your free time. The final point broadens the response, but the connection between school and helping your father could be developed with one brief detail. Fluency cannot be assessed from text alone. Practise giving this answer in 20 seconds, then repeat it in 15 seconds while keeping all three points.

Lexical Resource

Your vocabulary is relevant and understandable, with phrases such as “9th grade,” “subjects like English,” and “in my free time.” These cover the question without forcing elaborate wording. The range is quite basic, and “events” is not very specific in the context of school subjects. For a clearer response, name what you mean by “events” if you can, or add one precise word describing your school subjects.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

You use simple sentence patterns successfully, including “I help my father in a market in my free time,” and connect ideas with “Also.” The main improvement is more natural word order in “I'm studying at school currently in 9th grade”; placing “currently” earlier and using “the 9th grade” makes the sentence smoother. Practise building one sentence about your current situation and a second about your free-time activity.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from a written answer, so this is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording. Practise the stress in “currently” (CUR-rent-ly), “English” (ENG-lish), and “free time” (FREE time). Group the answer into thought units: “I'm currently in the 9th grade” / “I study subjects such as English” / “In my free time, I help my father at a market.” Record it, then check that each phrase is easy to understand and the key words stand out.

A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.

  • Rephrase your opening as “I'm currently in the 9th grade at school” to make the word order smoother.
  • Clarify what you mean by “events” if it refers to a particular subject or school activity.
  • Add one brief, truthful detail about what you do when helping your father at the market.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Briefly explain when you finished school to establish your timeline.
  • Describe your current plan to explore career options.
  • Give a reason for taking on projects and jobs, such as gaining experience before making a decision.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer directly by stating whether you currently work or study.
  2. Give the relevant background and time reference.
  3. Explain what you are doing at present.
  4. End with the purpose of those activities or your next decision.
Useful vocabulary & examples
explore career options
consider different possible types of work before choosing a direction

I'm taking a year to explore different career options.

short-term project
a piece of work intended to last for a limited period

I've been working on some short-term projects.

gain experience
develop practical knowledge or skills by doing work

I'm taking part-time jobs to gain experience.

decide what to do next
choose the next action or direction

I'm gaining experience before deciding what to do next.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I graduated from school last year, and at the moment, I'm taking a year to explore different career options. I've been working on some short-term projects and part-time jobs to...

Band 8

Well, currently, I am working as a math teacher at a secondary school called Alicia. I have been working there for 2 years, and I was a volunteer in my 1st year. Additionally, I...

Band 7

Yes, both. I'm studying and working at my university. It is a great chance to improve my future career. After graduation, I'm going to study abroad.

Band 6

Well, I'm a student at the university, and this is my 3rd year at this place. Also, I have a part-time job as a teacher at a vocational school. I'm still working this term at th...

Band 5

Um, we can support. Currently, I'm working as well as studying. So you can consider me a student. I'm currently working as an intern in the communication team of Asha, and simul...

Band 4

For now, I'm still a very school student. But sometimes during my own vacation, I work a part-time job. So I do work and study.